Elevated first fill valve in suction diesel units and pump modules

Abstract

A reservoir structure of a fuel suction unit or pump module for a diesel vehicle is provided. The reservoir structure includes a reservoir 10 having a bottom surface 14 . A primary opening 12 is provided in the bottom surface for permitting fuel to pass from a fuel tank of the vehicle into the reservoir. A secondary opening 16 is provided in the reservoir 10 that is elevated from the bottom surface 14 . A valve member 18 is associated with the secondary opening 16 . The valve member 18 is constructed and arranged to close the secondary opening under certain pressure conditions in the reservoir and, under pressure conditions in the reservoir different from the certain pressure conditions, to permit fuel to enter the reservoir through the secondary opening in the event the primary opening is substantially blocked.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A reservoir structure of a fuel delivery structure for a diesel vehicle, the reservoir structure including:
 a fuel reservoir having a bottom surface, 
 a primary fill opening in the bottom surface for permitting fuel to pass from a fuel tank of the vehicle into the reservoir, 
 a secondary fill opening in the reservoir that is elevated from the bottom surface, the secondary fill opening communicating the fuel tank with the reservoir for permitting fuel to pass from the fuel tank directly into the reservoir, 
 a first valve member associated with the primary fill opening constructed and arranged to close the primary fill opening under certain pressure conditions in the reservoir and, under pressure conditions in the reservoir different from the certain pressure conditions, to permit fuel to enter the reservoir through the primary fill opening, and 
 a second valve member associated with the secondary fill opening constructed and arranged to close the secondary fill opening under certain pressure conditions in the reservoir and, under pressure conditions in the reservoir different from the certain pressure conditions, to permit fuel to enter the reservoir through the secondary fill opening in the event the primary opening is substantially blocked, 
 wherein the reservoir structure is in combination with a suction tube in the reservoir, the suction tube being constructed and arranged to be coupled with a suction unit to draw fuel under certain conditions into the reservoir via the first fill opening and, when the first fill opening is substantially blocked, via the secondary fill opening; and 
 in further combination with a fuel tank, the reservoir resting on a bottom surface of the fuel tank; 
 wherein the secondary fill opening and a bottom opening of the suction tube are generally at the same height with respect to the bottom surface of the fuel tank. 
 
     
     
       2. The reservoir structure of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second valve members is of generally umbrella shape and comprised of elastomer material. 
     
     
       3. The reservoir structure of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary opening is associated with a pocket in the bottom of the reservoir. 
     
     
       4. The reservoir structure of  claim 3 , wherein the pocket is defined by a step in the bottom of the reservoir. 
     
     
       5. A reservoir structure of a fuel delivery structure for a diesel vehicle, the reservoir structure including:
 a fuel reservoir having a bottom surface, 
 first means for permitting fuel to pass from a fuel tank of the vehicle into the reservoir, 
 second means in the reservoir, communicating the fuel tank with the reservoir, for permitting fuel to pass from the fuel tank directly into the reservoir that is elevated from the bottom surface, 
 means for closing the first means under certain pressure conditions in the reservoir and, under pressure conditions in the reservoir different from the certain pressure conditions, for permitting fuel to enter the reservoir through the first means, and 
 means for closing the second means under certain pressure conditions in the reservoir and, under pressure conditions in the reservoir different from the certain pressure conditions, for permitting fuel to enter the reservoir through the second means in the event the first means is substantially blocked, 
 wherein the reservoir structure is in combination with a suction tube in the reservoir, the suction tube being constructed and arranged to be coupled with a suction unit to draw fuel under certain conditions into the reservoir via the first means and, when the first means is substantially blocked, via the secondary means; and 
 in further combination with a fuel tank, the reservoir resting on a bottom surface of the fuel tank; 
 wherein the second means is an opening in the reservoir and wherein the opening and a bottom opening of the suction tube are generally at the same height with respect to the bottom surface of the fuel tank. 
 
     
     
       6. The reservoir structure of  claim 5 , wherein each of the means for closing is a valve member of generally umbrella shape comprised of elastomer material. 
     
     
       7. The reservoir structure of  claim 5 , wherein the second means is an opening in the reservoir that is associated with a pocket in the bottom of the reservoir. 
     
     
       8. The reservoir structure of  claim 7 , wherein the pocket is defined by a step in the bottom of the reservoir.